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THE MENDENHALL AND PENNELL
FAMILIES
Pages 69-75
The name of
Mendenhall is derived from a village, Mildenhall, in Wiltshire, England. The
village and the estates of Mildenhall are listed in the eleventh century
Doomsday Book of William the Conqueror, and the name is therefore one of the
most ancient. If the estates listed in the Doomsday Book were the property of
the forefathers of Benjamin Mendenhall, and if the subsequent references in the
old records are also to members of his family, he was descended from landed
gentry who were the associates and confidants of kings.
The earliest
reference noted in the Mendenhall Genealogy is to a Ralph de Mildhale,
mentioned in connection with a Parliament or General Assembly held by Henry III
in 1267. The references continue through the thirteenth and fourteenth
centuries, and it is presumed that the family, being partial to the ruling
House of Lancaster, was dispossessed upon the accession of the House of York to
the throne in the fifteenth century. There is however, a record of a John
Mildenhall undertaking an embassy to the Great Mogul in 1599, in the reign of
Queen Elizabeth:
"It was no
sooner known in London that the Dutch had penetrated beyond the Cape of Good
Hope, than the English merchants determined at all hazards, to keep pace with
their rivals. An association was formed in 1599, and a fund raised by
subscription, the management of which was intrusted to a committee of fifteen
persons, while a second application was made, with greater earnestness than
before, for the royal sanction on the company's proceedings; but Elizabeth,
though well inclined to the measure, was deterred from giving it her
countenance in consequence of the treaty then pending between England and
Spain. She contented herself, therefore, with referring the memorial to her
Privy Council, which made a favorable report; and, in the course of the same
year, John Mildenhall was sent overland, by the route of Constantinople, on an
embassy to the Great Mogul." (Gleig, "History of British India"
quoted in Mendenhall Genealogy.)(*)
The line of descent
from these personages to Francis Mildenhall, who was born November 7, 1673 at
Little Bedwin, Wiltshire, England, cannot be traced, and the chances that they
are ancestors in the direct line are of course small. Francis Mildenhall is
presumed to be the father of the four emigrants: Moses, John, Mary, and
Benjamin. Moses arrived in Chester from Bristol on the Unicorne, 10 mo. 16,
1685, and the others, who are also said to have come at the time of William Penn,
may have preceded him. The earliest records of the family in America
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(*)The full title of the Mendenhall Genealogy which has been the source
of much material |
are from the
session of the Chester County court on February 22, 1682-3, when John
Mendenhall was named constable of Concord Township. In 1685 he married
Elizabeth Maris, daughter of George Maris, of Springfield Township, and in the
same year Mary Mendenhall married Nathaniel Newlin, who had arrived from
Ireland in 1683. In 1686 Moses Mendenhall, a resident of Concord, Pennsylvania,
purchased land from his brother, Benjamin. Moses, who does not appear to have
been a Quaker, returned to England.(*) The families of Benjamin
Mendenhall, John Mendenhall and Nathaniel Newlin remained in Chester county, and
descendants of all three remaining emigrants attended the wedding of Aaron,
John's son, in 1715, in Chester.
Benjamin Mendenhall
married Ann Pennell, whose father, Robert Pennell was probably the great-great
grandson of William Pennell and Elizabeth Inkersall, who were married in
Balderton, Nottinghamshire, England, on November 5, 1542. William Pennell's
will is quoted in Lloyd Manuscripts:
Test. Vol. XVii. Folio 797.
Wyllm Pennelle, Prissche de Bauderstone. Maij 13.
In the Name of God
Amen The 21 daye of Januarie in the year of our Lord God 1567 I William Penelle
of Bauderstone in the Countie of Notts husbandman beynge of wholl mynd and
perfecte remembrance Doe constitute ordeyne and mak this my last Will and
Testament in maner and forme followynge . . . my soall to God Almightie and my
Bodie to be buried within the Churche yearde of Bauderstone aforesayd I gyve
and bequeth to the poore mans box iiijd I gyve and quethe to Grace Pennell my
dowghter one messuage with one Oxegange and a half of lande with the appurt'es
lyenge in Bestroppe and Scharle Item I gyve and bequeth to the said Grace one
Meace with one Oxegange of Land in Scearle with the appurt'es to hir and the
heires of her bodie lawfully begotten for ever and for the defaulte of suche
Heires all suche . . . lawfully to remaine to the next of her Qynne Item I gyve
and bequethe to Alice my wyfe all suche household stuffe as shee did bring with
hir at the Daie of my mariage excepting 2 new platters and 2 old Item I gyv and
quethe to eny one of my wyffes children one Sheipe hogge Item I gyve and quethe
to John Pennell my brother one peone and my chief coote. Item I gyv and queth
to Cicilia Lyntam I Strike of Mault Item to John Lyntam I Doublet of Suckskyn
Item to Xfr Heares wyff to James Hastlines wyf James Barrows wiff and John
Browners each one I kipe of male To Isabell Lyntam I Schiepe hogge To Robert
Pennall my Kinsman I flect heffer I ewe with hir lambe the beste that hee will
chosse at May daie next and my best Jacket Item I gyv to Grace Pennell my
Dowter alle suche household stuffe as ware myne before marred
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(*)Smith "History of Delaware County"; also Futhey and Cope,
"History of Chester |
my wife that now is
Item I gyv to Alice my wyfe alle suche Stuffe as shee broughte with hir at the
daie of hir Marrige I will that Alice my wyfe and Grace Pennall my Dafter have
occupie and enjoie together alle my (?) premises that they shall dwell together
in unity until Michaelmas next and they bothe together to buyden and keepe
house one Kilmo house with one chamber beinge at equal chargis for the same as
specified then I giv and quethe the resideu of my geares in my brasse to Alice
my wyfe Whereas I have borrowed of John Warde of Scearle the goings sum or L4 I
wille that G. P. paye or cause to be payd The rest of my dettes payde my
legacies discharged & my funerall expenses maid aboute my buriall I giv and
quethe to Alice Pennell my wyf and Grace Pennell my Dorter whom I ordeyn x my x
and trew Executors in performance and fulfilling of this my last Will &
Testament.
Recordes Wm Pulleam Clerk
George Richmer (?)
Robert Spayforthe
& Richard Nepe with other men.
Probated 1568, May 13th.
Lloyd Manuscripts also quotes the will of William Pennell's great grandson,
Robert:
Testa Vol. XLVI. Fol. 30.
ROBERT PENNELL de BALDERTON.
In the Name of God
Amen I Robert Pennell of Balderton in the County of Nottingham being sicke and
weake of Body but thanks be to God of perfect memory doth make this my last
Will and Testament as followeth First I give my Soule into the Hands of
Almighty God that gave itt not trusting in my own merritts but in the merritts
of Christ Jesus my onely Saviour and Redeamer and my Body to be decentlie
burried according to the discretion of my Executor Item I give and bequeth unto
my Daughter Anne the sum of 8/-- yearly to be paid by my Executor iff they doe
not continue together in the house Item I give & bequeath unto my Sonne
Nicholas daughter a black heifer with the calfe belonging to her to goe forward
for her Item I give and bequeath unto my Sone Nicholas in full of his portion
one shilling. Item to my Sonne Henrie in full 1/-- I give and bequeath to my
sone Richard Owlatt that married my daughter Elizabeth in full of their preon
1/-- Item I give and bequeath unto my Grandchild Anne Owlatt one duble Sheare
Item I give and bequeath unto my Sone Robert my house with all things thereto
belonging And all the Rest of my Goods & Chattels undisposed of whome I
make and appoynt my whole & sole executor of this my last Will and Testament
In witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand the ninthe day of Aprill in the
Yeare of our Lord 1663
Robert X his marke
It was the son of
this Robert Pennell, also named Robert, who emigrated to Pennsylvania. He was
born in the parish of Balderton, Nottinghamshire, England, and baptized 25th
October, 1640. He died in Middletown Township in 1728. The date of his will was
May 22, 1727; proved February 25th 1728-9.
This parish is
located close to the borders of Lincolnshire and is on the road to Newark.
Recent investigations made in the Balderton parish registers, show that Robert
Pennell was married twice. In 1665 he married Elizabeth Hyandson, who died
about the year 1670-1. He married secondly, Hannah (surname unknown), and had
issue by both wives. About the year 1673 he became interested in the views as
set forth by George Fox, and became a member of the Society of Friends as did
his wife Hannah. She was born in the year 1640; died 12th month 4th, 1711, in
Pennsylvania, at the age of 71 years. In the year 1684, on the third day of the
fifth month, he obtained a certificate of removal from "Friends at
Fulbeck." The monthly meeting was held at Fulbeck which is in Lincolnshire
a few miles east of Balderton. Between that year and 1686, with his wife and
family, he removed to Pennsylvania, his certificate of removal also including
the names of Thomas Garrett, Hugh Rodnell, Henry Pennell, and Richard Parker,
their wives and children. On arriving in Chester County, he became an active
member of Middletown Meeting. Appointed constable for Middletown, 1687.
In 1691 he
purchased 250 acres of land in Edgmont township, and 264 acres in 1705, to the
north of land of Philip Yarnall, extending from the present Howellville to the
Willistown line. Here follows an extract of his will, from Book 1, page 293,
West Chester. Dated May 22d, 1727, proved February 25th, 1728-9:
Robert Penell of
Middletown, yeoman. Mentions, grandsons Joseph Pennell son of Joseph Pennell.
The four sisters of the said grandson, Joseph Pennell, he to pay œ6 per year
during the natural life of his grandfather Robert Pennell. Grand-daughter
Hannah Jackson, grand-daughters Alice, Anne, Jane and Mary Pennell, daughters
of Joseph and Alice Pennell. Grandson Robert Pennell deceased. Grand-son Thomas
Pennell. . . . Mentions James Pennell, Hannah Pennell, Ann Pennell, Robert
Pennell, William Pennell. Daughter Ann ad her husband Benjamin Mendenhall . . .
John Sharples and his children. Jane and Samuel Garrett and their children.
Robert Taylor, Phebe Lewis, Hannah Mercer . . . Sole executors sons Joseph and
William Pennell.
Ann Pennell was a
daughter of the first wife of Robert Pennell, Elizabeth Hyandson, and was born
in Balderton about 1668. Her marriage to Benjamin Mendenhall occurred on 2 mo.
17, 1689, and she died 5th month 1749. Except for a son born in 1666 who died
in infancy, she was the eldest child of Robert Pennell. A daughter of Robert
and his second wife, Hannah, married John Sharples, the son, at the home of
John Bowater in 1692.
The Yearly Meeting
of Friends held 7 mo. 7, 1687 issued a testimony against selling rum or other
strong liquor to the Indians, and advised "that this our Testimony may be
entered in every monthly meeting booke, and Every friend belonging to their
monthly meeting to subscribe the same." Seventy-five friends signed the
testimony in the minutes of the Chester meeting; included were Robert Pennell,
Joseph Pennell, and John Sharples (the son).(*)
Moses Mendenhall,
son of Benjamin and Ann Pennell Mendenhall, was born 2 mo. 19, 1694. Moses'
wife is in some records referred to as Alice Pyle, in others as Alice Bowater.
It is evident that Alice Bowater married first Jacob Pyle, who died in 1717 at
the age of 26, and subsequently married Moses Mendenhall. John Bowater, the
father of Alice, is stated ** to have visited New England, Maryland
and Virginia before settling in what is now Delaware County, Pennsylvania. He
traveled as a "public friend" (minister) in these states in the years
1677 and 1678. In 1684 he arrived in Philadelphia with his wife, Frances and
after remaining there a short time, settled in Middletown township. Meetings of
the Friends were held in his house as early as 1687, and these were later
formed into Middletown Meeting. His home in England is said to have been in
Bromesgrove, Worcestershire, where he suffered persecution. Besse
"Sufferings" (11.61) contains this record:
Anno 1660. At a
Sessions held at Worcester on the 8th of the Month called January, many of the People
called Quakers having been before engaged by Promise to some of the Magistrates
to appear, appeared accordingly, and the Oath was then tendered them, which
they unanimously refusing to take, forty seven of them were committed to
prison, viz. Robert Newcomb, Thomas Carter,..........John Bowater........
One of the
prominent early Quaker ministers was John Bowater of London. He wrote a
testimony which introduced George Fox "Doctrinals," published
sermons, and wrote a book which was published after his death under the title
"Christian Epistles Travels and Sufferings of that Ancient Servant of
Christ, John Boweter; Who departed this Life, the 16th of the 11th Month, 1704,
Aged about 75 years."*** The preface, dated at London the 21st
of the 3rd month, 1705, gives the following account of John Bowater's life:
And this our
Ancient and Faithful Brother, John Bowater, after he was concerned in a Publick
Testiminy in the Gospel-Ministry; he was called to Travel beyond the Seas, into
America, and several Parts thereof,
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(*)Sharpless Genealogy, 1882; also Mendenhall Genealogy. |
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**Smith
"History of Delaware County", p. 448. |
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***The Bowater books are in the Haverford College Library. The spelling
Bowater and |
in the year 1677,
and 1678, as New-York, Long-Island, Road-Island, New-England, New-Jersey,
Maryland, Dellaware, Virginia etc., visiting many Places and Meetings, which he
had in those Remote Parts, for the spreading of the Blessed Truth and Gospel of
the Grace of God, and of our Lord Jesus Christ; and the opening Peoples Eyes
and Understandings, and so turning them from Darkness unto the True Light; and
from the Power of Satan, unto God; and for strengthening Friends in the Truth
and Faith in Christ Jesus his Light and Power; and God was pleased eminently to
Preserve him in his Travels, by Sea and by Land, through divers Hardships and
Jeopardies, unto his safe return for England, his Native Countrey.
After which, he
underwent Imprisonment in the County Goal at Worcester and removed to the
Fleet-Prison, at London, for his faithful Christian Testimony, and tender
Conscience towards our Blessed Lord Jesus Christ, for non Payment of Tythes; as
being persuaded the same not Payable, in this Gospel Day, by Divine Law, but
abrogated by Christ Jesus.
It appeared by the
Said John Bowater's own brief Relation, that he was more kindly used by the
Poor Indians in America, than by some pretended Christians here in England,
after his return. . . .
After his great
Travels, Hardships, and Jeopardies for the Gospel's sake, and Love to poor
Souls in the American Parts of the World, in the said Years, 1677 and 1678 to
be Entertained with Prisons and Confinement in England, from the year 1679, and
continuing a Prisoner for Several years after, in Worcester County Goal, and to
the Fleet-Prison in London, at the same Suit. . . . which was but Hard
Treatment, and no Christian Entertainment, by his Persecuting pretended
Christians: Yet the Lord sustained him, and carried him through all his Sufferings
and much good Service, for above Twenty Years after: And when his Testimony was
finished, the Lord brought him to his Peaceable and Joyful End.
Additional details
of John Bowater's life are given in the following excerpts from a published
epistle:
Many have been the
Troubles of the Righteous but the Lord hath been their Deliverer, who said, I
will not leave you Comfortless: He hath been a Comfort unto us in the time of
our Affliction, who hath made a Prison like a Palace unto us, as in
faithfulness we have given up all for his Name-Sake, and suffered the spoiling
of our Goods cheerfully, we have not lost our Reward, we have had peace in the
Lord (when our Adversaries have been formented) and the Promise of Christ in
the World to come, which is Life Everlasting:. . . .But some may say, Ye
Quakers thrust your selves into Sufferings; What matter of conscience is it to
detain your Tythe from a Minister? To this I answer: Some years ago, Thomas
Willmate, Vicar of the Parish of Bromsgrove (a profest Minister of the Gospel,
but not in the Practice of the true Gospel Ministers in the primitive Times) in
which Parish I have had my abode from my childhood, he sending to me to demand
Tythe, I not being satisfied in my spirit concerning paying Tythe in these Gospel
times, I went unto him, expecting he might have satisfied me, or he have been
satisfied with my Proposal, which was this; If he could prove himself a
Minister of the Gospel, and Tythe a Gospel Maintenance, I would pay him
Tythe.....
I am a Prisoner at
the Fleet-Prison, and am one that loves the good of Sion, and desireth the
Prosperity of Israel, and prayeth, That Truth and Righteousness may be set up
in the Earth. John Boweter.
London, the 26th of the 10th Month, 1681.
The account of the
Bowater travels, the date of his first visit to America, and the place of his
residence in England taken from Smith's History of Delaware County are in
complete agreement with the facts given in Bowater's own books. It is evident
that they refer to the same man. On the other hand, Smith mentions Bowater's
arrival in Philadelphia in 1684, and Bowater was in an English prison as late
as 1687, since a volume of letters in Haverford library includes one he wrote
from Fleet Prison in that year. The minutes of the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting
contain an entry dated 9 mo. 4, 1684 showing John Boweter and wife received
into membership on a certificate. An undated entry in the same minutes shows
that John Bowater presented a certificate from Dudley Monthly Meeting, dated 3
mo. 21, 1684. Dudley is a region in Worcestershire, about 10 miles north of
Bromesgrove.(*)
The conclusion is
inescapable that Smith's history confuses two individuals, one the London
minister who was in prison until after 1687, the other the father of Alice
Bowater who arrived in Philadelphia with his wife Frances in 1684. Both came
from the same locality in England, and are surely of the same family, probably
father and son.
Alice Bowater may
be presumed to have been born in 1691 or a few years later, as her first
husband, Joseph Pyle, was born in that year, ano her second husband, Benjamin
Mendenhall, three years later. John Bowater, the London minister, was 62 years
old in 1691, which would be rather old for her father, but about right for her
grandfather.**
Christian names
descended through successive generations of a family in these years with almost
the same regularity as family names. The name of Alice, which is less common
than many others, descended from Alice Bowater through four generations to
Alice Pennock. It had been common in the Pennell family since the sixteenth
century.
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(*)The Bowater family resided in Bromesgrove for many years. Records of
wills show |
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**It
cannot be determined with certainty to which generation the children of John |